Election Night Updates

But there now is a feeling among political pros that neither worked very well—and a growing sense that “aqua Buddha” may have backfired.

Ms. O’Donnell, the Republican Senate candidate in Delaware, was seeking to end talk about comments she made years ago suggesting she once had some interest in witchcraft. She trailed when the ad ran, and still does.

In Kentucky, Democratic Senate candidate Jack Conway has faded in the polls since his controversial ad began airing. It questioned the religious beliefs of his Republican foe, Mr. Paul, in part by saying he once told a woman “his god was aqua Buddha.”

Pete Brodnitz, a pollster for the Conway campaign, defended the ad’s veracity but acknowledged it got in the way of other messages. Meantime, a new CNN/Time magazine poll shows Mr. Paul leading 50% to 43% among likely voters.

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Washington Wire is one of the oldest standing features in American journalism. Since the Wire launched on Sept. 20, 1940, the Journal has offered readers an informal look at the capital. Now online, the Wire provides a succession of glimpses at what’s happening behind hot stories and warnings of what to watch for in the days ahead. The Wire is led by Reid J. Epstein, with contributions from the rest of the bureau. Washington Wire now also includes Think Tank, our home for outside analysis from policy and political thinkers.